Academics

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)

The Bachelor of Theology program has the same purpose as the Master of Divinity program. Like the Master of Divinity program, it is designed to provide a basic three-year program for those planning to invest their lives in church or mission vocations which require ordination. The program offers a broad biblical, theological, and practical foundation for such ministries. The program, however, is offered only to a select number of applicants (limited to five percent of total enrollment) who are beyond the average age of college students (usually at least 30 years of age), who have not completed a baccalaureate degree program but have earned a minimum of 60 semester units of undergraduate general education credits, and who have a consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience. The nomenclature, Bachelor of Theology, is designed to emphasize the fact that in no case does the seminary offer graduate degrees (master’s degrees) for those who have not completed a baccalaureate program.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed in the previous paragraph, and to the general admission requirements listed later in this catalog, applicants for the Bachelor of Theology program must present a letter of reference from a church board documenting effective ministry experience and recommending the applicant for intensive study and for continuing ministry.

Program Requirements

The curriculum, residence, and candidacy requirements for the Bachelor of Theology degree are the same as those for the Master of Divinity degree with the following exceptions:

A grade point average of only 2.0 is required for graduation
Writing a thesis is not permitted in the Bachelor of Theology program